Are you looking for a new cannabis infusion method to make tasty edibles that can kick in quickly, in just 15-20 minutes? Then look no further than learning how to make your own cannabis oil powder, sometimes called THC powder, easily at home. Made with just two simple ingredients in just 10 minutes, this powder can be added to any dish you please without affecting the taste, smell, or flavor.
Features
- Dietary Features: Vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, gluten-free (NOT suitable for those with diabetes, on Keto or low-carb diets).
- Water-soluble - this powder kicks in faster than other edibles, in just 15-20 minutes.
- Add to virtually any dish you please without affecting the smell or flavor.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Do you like cannabis edibles but find it hard to get past the strong cannabis smell or taste that comes with them?
Or are you looking for an edible that will kick in faster than traditional edibles that may take up to 2 hours to work? Allow me to introduce you to cannabis or THC oil powder!
I've been getting many questions about this infusion method from my Well With Cannabis Community members, so I put together a complete guide to help you make this recipe perfectly.
Read on to learn more about what cannabis oil powder is, the pros and cons of this infusion method, and how you can easily make your own powder at home with THC oil or CBD oil.
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Ingredient Notes
- Maltodextrin powder: a white powder made from common starchy foods like corn, rice, potato, or wheat. You can purchase non-GMO maltodextrin powder here. Find a more in-depth explanation of what maltodextrin powder is below.
- Sunflower lecithin powder (optional): this is a natural emulsifier that will help keep opposing ingredients bound together, like water and oil. If you're new to working with lecithin, you can learn more about adding lecithin to edibles here. If needed, you can purchase sunflower lecithin powder here. While this ingredient is optional, it is a must-have if you plan on mixing the powder into drinks.
- A cannabis oil of your choice: Unsure what to pick? Check out my guide to understanding the many different types of cannabis oils here.
Options for different kinds of cannabis oil to use include:
Note: a complete list of ingredients with amounts and printable instructions is located in the recipe card below.
Step-By-Step Process With Photos
- Step 1: Purchase your maltodextrin powder and make or purchase cannabis-infused oil. You can purchase non-GMO maltodextrin powder here.
- Step 2: Add the maltodextrin powder to a medium-sized bowl.
- Step 3: Add your cannabis oil to the bowl.
- Step 4: Whisk the ingredients together well.
- Step 5: Continue to whisk well until the oil starts to blend together with the powder.
- Step 6: If using sunflower lecithin powder, add it now and continue to whisk well until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Step 7: If desired, run the powder mixture through a flour sifter or fine-mesh sieve for more uniform mixing.
- Step 8: Store the prepared powder in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in a cool dark place, until ready to use.
Note: complete step-by-step printable instructions are located in the recipe card below.
Learn More About Cannabis Oil Powder
If you've turned your nose up at edibles in the past, this cannabis powder might be a good solution for you.
Our bodies best absorb cannabinoids with fat. But because of this, sometimes it takes traditional edibles a while to kick in.
Water-soluble cannabinoids are absorbed quickly into our bloodstream, making this powder a powerful, fast-acting medicine.
Of course, it takes a little experimentation to get the process of making it just right.
It involves mixing cannabis oil with maltodextrin, which we'll take a look at below.
You should be able to find cannabis oil at your local dispensary, or you can infuse your own oil at home in just a few hours.
It's an important component of this powder, so be sure you have high-quality oil on hand before you get started.
What is Maltodextrin?
Maltodextrin is a key component in making cannabis oil powder, but what is it? Is it safe to eat?
After all, you want to make edibles, not do a chemistry experiment!
You may have heard of this ingredient before because it's added to many food products as a thickener or preservative.
Maltodextrin is a white powder that's made from common starchy foods like corn, rice, potato, or wheat. In most cases, maltodextrin is perfectly safe to eat regularly.
A Word Of Caution Using Maltodextrin
Because maltodextrin is made from starch, it's high in simple carbohydrates.
If you have diabetes or follow a low carbohydrate diet, it's important to note that maltodextrin has a very high glycemic index and could spike your blood sugar.
Be wary of this, but also keep in mind that you probably won't be consuming large amounts of cannabis oil powder at once.
Always ask your doctor if you have concerns, and start with a small dose to see how it affects you.
Notes and Expert Tips
As with all cannabis infusions and extractions, there are pros and cons to each method.
This section should help you decide if this infusion method is right for you and your needs.
Pros & Benefits
- Suitable for many dietary options, including vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
- No cooking required! Just mix, use, or store.
- Water-soluble, can kick in faster than other edibles, in just 15-20 minutes.
- Can mask the cannabis taste, add to any dish you please without affecting the smell or flavor.
- Great for microdosing.
Cons & Drawbacks
- High glycemic index and may spike blood sugars when used in large amounts.
- NOT suitable for those with diabetes, on Keto or low-carb diets.
- Requires a large amount of maltodextrin to oil ratio to make the infusion - meaning your final product may not be as potent as you want it.
- Does not mix in *perfectly* with drinks, but is a great option to try out.
How to Determine The Dosing
Want to get a more accurate guesstimate of the potency of your cannabis infusions and extractions? Try our popular edibles calculator!
Not sure what your perfect dose is? Learn more here.
How to Make Edibles With This Powder
You can add this powder to virtually any dish you please without affecting its smell or flavor.
You can add a sprinkle of this powder to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks recipes for a quick dose of cannabis any time and anywhere.
From a sprinkle over your morning cannabis-infused quinoa breakfast bowl to a sprinkle in your cannabis-infused deviled eggs, the options are endless.
My other favorite ways to use cannabis oil powder include:
- Adding a scoop to a yummy cannabis smoothie
- Adding a scoop to infuse these no-bake energy bites
- Mixing in some powder with this cannabis taco seasoning
And because this cannabis preparation is carbohydrate-based, you'll begin to feel its effects within just 15 to 20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, maltodextrin is virtually tasteless. You can also ensure it is taste-free by selecting an 'unflavored' option when purchasing your product.
Once you have prepared your oil powder, it is best to store it in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in a cool dark place.
Yes, you can use soy lecithin in place of sunflower, but ensure both forms are powdered or granulated. Do not use liquid lecithin here in this recipe.
Many people are looking for a water-soluble option for their infused drinks. While this maltodextrin powder mixes in well with drinks (better than other infusions I've tried), it is still not 100% perfect. You may notice a tiny bit of oil still collecting at the top. It is up to you and your personal preferences if this is OK.
To make a THC oil powder, you will need to start with THC-infused oil. To make a CBD oil powder, you will need to start with CBD-infused oil. You can learn more about working with CBD flowers here.
You can definitely use oils that you purchased from a store or a dispensary in this recipe, as long as they are oil-based.
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📖 Recipe
Cannabis Oil Powder (THC or CBD)
Ingredients
- ½ cup maltodextrin powder
- 2 tablespoons cannabis oil
- ½ teaspoon sunflower lecithin powder optional, see notes
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the maltodextrin powder, followed by the cannabis oil.
- Whisk the mixture together well, up to several minutes, until the maltodextrin powder has absorbed all of the oil.
- If using, add the sunflower lecithin powder and continue to mix well until there are no clumps left.
- If desired, run the powder mixture through a flour sifter or fine-mesh sieve for more uniform mixing.
- Store the prepared powder in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in a cool dark place, until ready to use.
Notes
- As always, I recommend running a *non-infused* test batch first with virgin oil to see if this method works for you and your desired infusion preferences.
- To make a THC oil powder, start with THC-infused oil. To make a CBD oil powder, start with CBD-infused oil.
- If you are using solid coconut oil as your infusion oil, be sure to melt it into a liquid first before using it. But, do not use the microwave to melt as this could destroy your cannabinoids! Instead, use a double boiler or another low heat method as needed.
- The lecithin powder is optional, but I recommend adding it if you plan to add this cannabis oil powder to drinks.
- Note: this mixture still does not mix in *perfectly* with cold drinks, but is a great option to try out and see if you like it,
Jim
Works better in cold drinks using a blender. I have a Blendjet and just run it for a minute, and everything is smooooth.
Emily Kyle
This is so great to hear; thanks so much for letting us know what is working for you, Jim!
Ericka
Hello what type of sifter are you using? The one I have doesn't seem to work to great and it takes a while for the powder to go through.
Emily Kyle
hey Ericka! I used a flour sifter with a hand crank. You may find that throwing it all in a coffee grinder may help bring it together easier, too!
Zach
Can this stuff go into gell capsules ?
Emily Kyle
It sure can, Zach! Here is my guide for making cannabis capsules, I hope this helps 🙂
Jim Again
Just wondering if this would work with a tincture, or if you have another solution for tictures? I understand cyclodextrins are alcohol friendly, so maybe?
Emily Kyle
Hey Jim! I think it should work, but I'm not 100% sure. You could always try with a tiny little bit to see what happens. Otherwise, I like to pour my tincture over salt or sugar to evaporate the alcohol and leave the good stuff behind 🙂
Ashley
How would you figure out how the thc percentage is per drink? — do you think it would be good with a warm apple cider?!
Emily Kyle
Hey Ashley! You would first use the edible dosage calculator to guesstimate the potency of the oil you are starting with. Then you would divide that number by how many servings of powder you made 🙂 Apple cider sounds amazing!
Fawn Hasty
Can you use liquid sunflower lecithin in the THC/CBD powder?
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Fawn. Liquid lecithin won't work because it doesn't dissolve like the powder does and will cause a sticky mess.
Leroy
Can I use FECO as the oil with this recipe?
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Leroy. If your FECO is oily enough, it should work. You may need to add a little carrier oil to make it easier to blend though. You can always take a small sample to experiment with to see how it works.
CHARLOTTE NEIGHBORS
This THC powder is a game changer for me. I'm one of "those people" who rarely feel edibles. Tried this and it works for me. I followed Emily's recipe, so easy to make. Stirred it all together, didn't have to sift. Haven't tried it with cold drinks yet, plan to soon. Another great recipe, thanks Emily.
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Charlotte! This is wonderful to hear! Emily works hard finding recipes that suit cannabis consumers of all types. We are so happy you found something that works! Thank you for your support and feedback! 🥰
Leah
Hi, why is it still so runny? Help!
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Leah. The mixture may need more whisking to incorporate the powder completely into the oil. If that doesn't work, you can try slowly adding in more maltodextrin and whisking until you get your desired consistency. For a fine powder, you can use a sifter. I hope this helps!
Chad Weimer
If I followed your recipe for cannabis oil with lecithin already in it, do I have to add it to the powder as well?
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Chad. Adding additional lecithin is optional, but it is a must-have if you plan on mixing the powder into drinks.
Kathy Doherty
Hi, I just wanted to check myself/my understanding of the yield of the recipe and how it relates to the dosage calculator. If my oil has 31.08g of THC per tsp, and I decide to make 36 servings (4 cups of powder and 16 tbs oil) the calculator tells me that each tsp. (because I need to change 16Tbs in recipe to 48Tsp. for the calculator) and the serving size I used in calculator was 36 as per the recipe, does that mean that each tsp of the powder is truly 46.62mg THC? If I then go to make brownies I need to decide the brownie serving size in order to know how many tsp of powder to use I will have to multiply tsp's and divide by servings based on recipe OR how many mg's. I want in a brownie. Is that correct as well?
I love the versatility and ease of this powder, and want to make a large batch, so just looking to understand this and get it right! Thank you for all you do for the Cannabis Community!
K
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Kathy. 48tsp @ 31.08mg = 1,491.84 total mg ÷ 36 servings = 41.44mg per serving ... You were close, but had the concept correct. To determine how much you'll need for a desired strength of brownies, you can take the number of servings and multiply by the strength in mg that you want for each serving. That will give you the total strength of your batch. Take that number and divide by the strength per tsp and that should tell you how many tsps you need to use for the recipe. # of servings × strength of each serving = Total batch strength ÷ each tsp mg = How many teaspoons needed for desired strength. I hope this helps! Thank you so much for your continued support!
Trisha
How long does the cannabis powder stay fresh or spoils.
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Trisha. Cannabis powder can generally last up to six months when stored in an airtight container, in a cool, dark place. ☺️